Formic Acid-Producing Bacteria for Obesity Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anti-obesity medications often cause significant side effects and are not effective in preventing or treating metabolic syndrome, which is linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, due to their inability to inhibit body fat accumulation and lower blood fat and cholesterol levels without adverse effects.

Innovation Solution

A composition containing strains with formic acid producing ability, such as Enterococcus faecium KR127, Pediococcus pentosaceus NKR654, and Enterococcus faecalis TN3, which are administered to inhibit body fat accumulation and lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, thereby addressing metabolic syndrome.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional anti-obesity medications are used, then body fat accumulation is inhibited, but significant side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanti-obesity efficacyVSAvoidside effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses naturally occurring formic acid-producing bacteria (Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium animalis) as a temporary, biodegradable alternative to permanent chemical medications. These bacteria produce formic acid transiently in the gut to inhibit fat accumulation, then are naturally excreted, avoiding long-term side effects of conventional drugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces formic acid as an intermediary substance produced by bacteria to mediate the anti-obesity effect. Instead of using direct chemical inhibitors, the bacteria produce formic acid in situ, which then acts to inhibit fat cell differentiation and reduce body fat, providing a more natural and safer mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conventional anti-obesity medications are used, then appetite is controlled or fat absorption is inhibited, but metabolic syndrome cannot be effectively prevented or treated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobesity treatment effectVSAvoidmetabolic syndrome prevention capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent demonstrates that formic acid-producing bacteria have multiple functions: they inhibit fat accumulation, lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and prevent metabolic syndrome. This single intervention addresses multiple aspects of metabolic health, making the solution versatile for treating both obesity and associated metabolic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If chemically synthetic drugs are used, then obesity is treated, but problems occur in patients with cardiac insufficiency or kidney disease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobesity treatmentVSAvoidcontraindications for cardiac and kidney patients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses transient bacterial colonization that produces formic acid temporarily and then is naturally excreted, avoiding accumulation in the body. This makes the treatment safe for patients with cardiac and kidney conditions who cannot tolerate drugs that may accumulate or have systemic effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the naturally occurring formic acid, which in small amounts is harmless or even beneficial, into a therapeutic agent. The bacteria produce formic acid at controlled levels that provide anti-obesity effects without reaching toxic levels, even in vulnerable populations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The strains effectively reduce body weight, inhibit fat accumulation, and lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, providing a safe and effective treatment for obesity and metabolic syndrome without the side effects associated with conventional medications.

Implementation Method 1

a strain having formic acid producing ability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS11564955B2Composition including, as active ingredient, strain having ability to produce formic acid for preventing or treating obesity or metabolic syndromes caused by obesity

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 KOREA FOOD RES INST

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composition comprising as an active ingredient a strain having excellent ability to produce formic acid for preventing or treating obesity or metabolic syndromes caused by obesity; and to a food composition and a health functional food each comprising the active ingredient. The strain having excellent ability to produce formic acid according to the present invention not only has effects of reducing body weight and inhibiting fat accumulation in organs, but also has activity to effectively lower blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels, and therefore, the composition comprising the strain as an active ingredient can be favorably used as a composition capable of preventing/alleviating or treating obesity or metabolic syndromes caused by obesity. Therefore, the strain having excellent ability to produce formic acid according to the present invention can be favorably used as a material for a medical product or health food.